New Zealand Executive Government News Release Archive

The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon J B Bolger, today announced details of the New Zealand Order of Merit, a principal element of the new New Zealand based honours system.

"This is a major step in the development of a distinctly New Zealand honours system which reflects our national identity," said Mr Bolger.

He said that Her Majesty the Queen had approved the institution of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

"The New Zealand Royal Honours System will in future be made up of the Order of New Zealand ONZ), which will remain the highest honour, the Queen's Service Order (QSO) and its associated medal (QSM), and the new New Zealand Order of Merit," said Mr Bolger.

"Existing holders of British honours will continue to enjoy their privileges within the New Zealand Royal Honours system," he said.

The Prime Minister said the creation of the third New Zealand order follows the recommendations of the Honours Advisory Committee which reported in September last year.

"The New Zealand Government will no longer make recommendations for British honours," said Mr Bolger. "However dynastic honours, that is those which are a personal gift of the Queen, may continue to be granted to New Zealanders."

Mr Bolger said the New Zealand Order of Merit will consist of The Sovereign, a Chancellor (the Governor-General) and five levels of membership:

1 Knights and Dames Grand Companions (GNZM) 2 Knights and Dames Companions (KNZM & DNZM) 3 Companions (CNZM) 4 Officers (ONZM) 5 Members (MNZM)

Those appointed to the first and second levels of the Order, except honorary appointments, will be entitled to be called "Sir", in the case of a man, and "Dame", in the case of a woman, before their forenames.

The insignia of the New Zealand Order of Merit blends traditional Maori and British designs, colours and symbolism.

The Badge of the Order is a cross with the New Zealand Coat of Arms in the centre encircled by the motto 'For Merit' in English and 'Tohu Hiranga' in Maori and set in green enamel, representing the highly prized pounamu or New Zealand greenstone.

The Breast Star is based on a stylised representation of the head or crown of the ponga or silver fern tree, a national emblem of New Zealand. The ribbon of the Order is red ochre (kokowai).

The insignia of the Order was designed by the New Zealand Herald of Arms, Phillip O'Shea, LVO, who also designed of the insignia of the ONZ, QSO & QSM and a number of other official medals.(Details and illustrations of designs of the insignia for the new Order are attached to this statement.)

"Insignia are expected to be available for the investitures of the first members of the new Order, either later this year or early next year," said Mr Bolger.

"It is hoped that the first appointments to the new Order will be announced on 3 June, the New Zealand observance of the Queen's Birthday, or soon after," he said.

Mr Bolger said the Queen had agreed there should continue to be two regular honours lists a year.

These would be at the New Year (announced 30/31 December) and on the New Zealand observance of the Queen's Birthday, the first Monday in June. In addition, there would be special lists from time to time.

A new system of gallantry and bravery awards for the military and civilians would also be developed.

"Announcements will be made on this once details are finalised and the Queen consulted," Mr Bolger said.

The Prime Minister said anyone could make a nomination for a New Zealand honour and wider publicity will be given to the nomination process.

"The primary emphasis in determining the award of honours will be on service to the community or nation and on merit and achievement, in any field, going beyond the normal requirements of duty or office," he said.

The number of honours available will remain at the current level of approximately 350 a year. However, less may be recommended.

Nomination forms would soon be available through Members of Parliament, Electorate offices, Link Centres of the Department of Internal Affairs or by contacting the Honours Secretariat, Cabinet Office, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

ATTACHMENT

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The New Zealand Royal Honours System

i The New Zealand Order of Merit (including illustrations of insignia)

ii Other issues

iii Sample nomination form

OFFICER FOR ENQUIRIES

Mr Phillip O'Shea

Telephone: (04) 471 9745

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

THE NEW ZEALAND ROYAL HONOURS SYSTEM

1 Historical

Since 1975 the Royal Honours System in New Zealand has been a mix of British Orders of Chivalry and Orders and New Zealand Orders. The New Zealand Royal Honours System will not consist of three New Zealand Orders: The Order of New Zealand (ONZ) The Queen's Service Order (QSO), with an associated Medal (QSM) The New Zealand Order of Merit, of five levels.

Those honours in the personal gift of the Sovereign (Dynastic honours) may continue to be granted to New Zealanders. The New Zealand Order of Merit

2 Eligibility

People eligible for admission to the Order will be those "who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and the nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits".

3 Insignia

The insignia of the New Zealand Order of Merit consists of:

Knights and Dames Grand Companions (GNZM)

A Badge, in the form of a cross, in white enamel set in gold with, in the centre, a medallion bearing the Arms of New Zealand within a circle of green enamel bearing the motto of the Order. The Badge is worn from a red ochre (kokowai) sash worn over the right shoulder and resting on the left hip.

A Breast Star, of eight points, each arm bearing a stylised representation of a fern frond, in gold, with a smaller representation of the Badge of the Order in the centre.

Knights and Dames Companion (KNZM/DNZM)

A Badge and Breast Star similar to that prescribed for Knights and Dames Grand Companions except that the Badge is worn from either the neck or from a bow on the left shoulder. The Breast Star is in silver, with the Badge of the Order in the centre.

Companions (CNZM)

Wear a Badge similar to that prescribed for Knights and Dames Companions.

Officers (ONZM)

Wear, on the left breast, a smaller representation of the Badge of the Order, in gold, with the motto set in green enamel.

Members (MNZM)

Wear a Badge similar to that prescribed for Officers, except that it is in silver and green enamel.

Collar (Chain) of the Order

A special Collar to be worn only by the Sovereign and the Chancellor (Governor-General), is composed of links of the central medallion of the Badge and gold Koru (in the form of the letter S) with, in the centre, a representation of the New Zealand Coat of Arms from which the Badge of the Order hangs.

Lapel Badges & Miniatures

The insignia will include a Lapel Badge for every day wear by members of the various levels of the Order and miniatures for evening wear.

4 Motto

The motto of the Order is "For Merit", in English, and "Tohu Hiranga", in Maori. The literal translation of the Maori is "to achieve excellence".

5 Maori dimension

Traditional Maori designs, colours and symbolism have been blended into the design of the insignia. In addition the Warrant establishing the Order and the Warrants of Appointment (certificates) issued to members of the various levels of the Order will be in English and Maori. The Warrants of Appointment for the ONZ are in English and Maori and in due course the Warrants for the QSO will also be issued in English and Maori.

6 Symbolism

As the Order is an 'Order of Chivalry', a cross was selected for the Badge. The particular shape of the cross chosen is not significant, although it has been found on several Maori tribal flags of the last century. The motto is set in green enamel which alludes to the highly prized pounamu or New Zealand greenstone.

The Breast Star is based on the head or crown of the ponga or silver fern tree which is common throughout the country. It is the national emblem of New Zealand. The fern frond, in particular the silver fern frond, is to New Zealand what the oak leaves are to England and the laurel leaves to the world at large, ie the symbol of the champion, the winner or the achiever.

The Collar provides a blend of both English and Maori cultures and alludes to the ancient origins of both, in particular the concept of chivalry. The koru is found in many forms in Maori art and is a stylised representation of a fern frond and may symbolise new birth, growth, vitality, strength and achievement.

The ribbon of the Order is plain red ochre (kokowai). The same colour as used in the ribbons of the both the Order of New Zealand and the ueen's Service Order and Medal. To Maori it is regarded as a powerful and spiritual colour. Red ochre was given official sanction as a national colour with the institution of the QSO in 1975. (Other national colours are black and white/silver). Red and gold are traditional colours associated with knighthood and red is often used in heraldry to allude to toil, hard work and achievement.

7 Order of Wear of Insignia

The insignia of the new Order will be worn as follows:

GNZM After the ONZ and before other Knights and Dames Grand Cross (GCMG, GCVO, GBE) and the CH.

KNZM/DNZM After Knights and Dames Grand Cross and the CH and before other Knights and Dames Commander and Knights Bachelor (KCB/DCB, KCMG/DCMG. KCVO/DCVO, KBE/DBE. Kt Bach).

CNZM After Knights and Dames Commander and Knights Bachelor and before other Companions and Commanders (CB, CMG, CVO, CBE).

ONZM Immediately after the QSO and before the OBE.

MNZM Immediately before the MBE.

The New Zealand Royal Honours System: Other issues

8 Order of New Zealand

The Queen has approved an enhanced 'order of wear' for the Badge of a Member of the Order of New Zealand (ONZ). The Badge will now be worn immediately after Knights and Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath and the (British) Order of Merit (OM), a dynastic honour, and before Knights and Dames Grand Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit and Knights and Dames Grand Cross of British Orders of Chivalry.

A Lapel Badge was instituted for the ONZ in 1990.

9 The Queen's Service Order and The Queen's Service Medal

Lapel Badges will be introduced, as soon as possible, for holders of the QSO and QSM.

10 Frequency of Honours Lists:

Honours lists will be issue on the occasion of:

New Year Honour: 30/31 December New Zealand Observance of the Queen's Birthday: First Monday in June Special Lists (eg for Bravery awards): As required.

11 British Honours discontinued

British State Orders of Chivalry, Orders and other awards which have been discontinued, showing what has replaced them:

Level British Honours New Zealand Honours 1 GCB, GCMG, GBE, CH ONZ, GNZM 2 KCB/DCB, KCMG/DCMG KBE/DBE, Kt Bach KNZM/DNZM 3 CB, CMG, CBE CNZM 4 OBE QSO, ONZM 5 MBE MNZM 6 BEM, QPM, QFSM*, QSM RRC, ARRC, AFC, AFM*

* These awards will be replaced by either appointments to the 5th level of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) or awards of the QSM, as appropriate.

Note: Existing holders of British honours will continue to enjoy their privileges within the New Zealand Royal Honours System.

12 Promulgation of Honours lists

Separate Civil, Police and Military Honours Lists will cease. All honours will be issued to the media and published in the "New Zealand Gazette" in a single simplified format. New Zealand Defence Force personnel will be listed in a group after each level, rather than in a separate list. The new format follows that which has been observed for Government House investitures for over 50 years.

13 Criteria for Honours

The primary emphasis in determining the award of honours will be on service to the community or nation and on merit and achievement, in any field, going beyond the normal requirements of duty or office.

14 Number of Honours

The number of honours available will remain at the current level of approximately 350 per annum. However, less may be recommended.

15 Nomination Form

A sample nomination form for a New Zealand Royal Honour, is attached.

Copies of the form are available from the Honours Secretariat, Cabinet Office, Parliament Buildings, Wellington. They will shortly be available from Members of Parliament, Electorate offices, and Link Centres of the Department of Internal Affairs.

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